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The wily, furry prognosticator known as Wiarton Willie is getting ready for his big day in the spotlight – shadow or no shadow – in a showdown over getting the late winter weather forecast right.

Partying with Willie

Groundhog Day falls this year on a Saturday, Feb. 2, so it’s even more reason to party at the three-day Wiarton Willie Festival.

On “Prediction Morning,” Willie is roused from his mid-winter hibernation to take part in what has become a popular annual ritual at precisely 8:07 a.m. at Bluewater Park.

It doesn’t get very scientific as folklore has it that if Willie sees his shadow at that time, he will return to his burrow and we endure another six weeks of winter weather.

If he doesn’t get spooked by any shadows, it means spring’s just around the corner.

Some 57 years in the making, the festival now attracts thousands from around the world – some of them dressed as groundhogs for the big day.

Shivering outdoors, they eagerly await Willie’s prediction with much pomp and ceremony by civic officials and others.

The festival starts on Friday with a Battle of the Bands, the naming of the Queen of the Festival, Wake up Willie Comedy evening and Monte Carlo Night.

Over the weekend, there are pancake breakfasts, an outdoor and indoor stage and large tent for entertainment as well as sports such as ice and road hockey, snow pitch, snow volleyball and curling.

There is also a winter carnival, family skating, a snow hill, snowmobile poker rally, craft show, ice carvings, a food expo and children’s events.

Entertainment includes Sloan on Saturday night and a Groundhog Ball.

“It is premature to expect that winter will go away and spring is on the way in spite of what the groundhogs say,” Dave Phillips, senior climatologist for Environment Canada, said after last year’s prediction. visitwiarton.ca; (519) 534-4741